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Andrew RT Davies: Tories must have a coalition of ideas | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has told party members they must be open to a "coalition of ideas". | |
Andrew RT Davies said the party - which has been in opposition since the Assembly was created in 1999 - needed to listen to ideas from outside. | |
His words will be seen as a hint the party could be open to forming a coalition with other parties after the assembly elections in 2016. | |
Mr Davies called the current Welsh Labour government "lazy" and "tired". | |
"When it comes to it we must have a coalition of ideas, a coalition that will ultimately take the best talent in all parts of our society in Wales," he said during the second day of the Welsh Conservative conference in Llangollen. | |
In what was a very personal speech Mr Davies said he was not a "career politician". | |
In a reference to his claim last year to be "19 stone of prime Welsh beef" he joked he recently weighed in at 19 stone 10 pounds. | |
Mr Davies called on members to believe they could win the next election and he praised his team in Cardiff Bay. | |
Earlier, Welsh Secretary David Jones accused the Labour-led Welsh government of letting down an entire generation of young people, due to a "continuing decline in the education system". | |
Mr Jones has attacked Labour's record on education at the Welsh Conservative conference in Llangollen. | Mr Jones has attacked Labour's record on education at the Welsh Conservative conference in Llangollen. |
It follows an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on the Welsh education system. | It follows an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on the Welsh education system. |
The report praised "positive" learning conditions but found many weaknesses. | The report praised "positive" learning conditions but found many weaknesses. |
"Wales lacks a compelling and inclusive long-term education vision to steer the education system and its reform efforts," Mr Jones said at the second day of the conference. | "Wales lacks a compelling and inclusive long-term education vision to steer the education system and its reform efforts," Mr Jones said at the second day of the conference. |
The most recent Pisa international education tests, which are run by the OECD, ranked Wales bottom in the UK. | The most recent Pisa international education tests, which are run by the OECD, ranked Wales bottom in the UK. |
The 2012 Pisa tests in science, maths and reading were taken by 500,000 15-year-olds in 68 countries. | The 2012 Pisa tests in science, maths and reading were taken by 500,000 15-year-olds in 68 countries. |
"The Pisa statistics published recently were, frankly, shocking," Mr Jones added. | "The Pisa statistics published recently were, frankly, shocking," Mr Jones added. |
"They showed Wales to be the weakest of the home nations in maths, science and reading. | "They showed Wales to be the weakest of the home nations in maths, science and reading. |
"On some measures, education in Wales is no better than in some of the eastern European nations emerging from decades of communism." | "On some measures, education in Wales is no better than in some of the eastern European nations emerging from decades of communism." |
Mr Jones argued that good education is crucial in a wholly global economy and to compete in that market the young people of Wales needed an "excellent education". | Mr Jones argued that good education is crucial in a wholly global economy and to compete in that market the young people of Wales needed an "excellent education". |
During the conference Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith spoke about his party's welfare reform. | During the conference Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith spoke about his party's welfare reform. |
"I have fought so hard to create and introduce Universal Credit, now running in England, Scotland and Wales - in Shotton from 7 April - and set to roll out further across the north west," he said. | "I have fought so hard to create and introduce Universal Credit, now running in England, Scotland and Wales - in Shotton from 7 April - and set to roll out further across the north west," he said. |
Universal Credit is replacing six benefits, including jobseeker's allowance, income support, child tax credit and housing benefit. | Universal Credit is replacing six benefits, including jobseeker's allowance, income support, child tax credit and housing benefit. |
He said the behavioural effect of the reform was "striking" and allowed more people to enter the workforce. | He said the behavioural effect of the reform was "striking" and allowed more people to enter the workforce. |
"Across the UK, there are now a lower proportion of workless households than at any time on record, down 450,000 since 2010, and down 23,000 in Wales," Mr Duncan Smith said. | "Across the UK, there are now a lower proportion of workless households than at any time on record, down 450,000 since 2010, and down 23,000 in Wales," Mr Duncan Smith said. |
Addressing the conference on Friday, David Cameron attacked the Welsh government's handling of the NHS. | Addressing the conference on Friday, David Cameron attacked the Welsh government's handling of the NHS. |
He said Wales was witnessing a "national scandal" as Offa's Dyke "has become the line between life and death". | He said Wales was witnessing a "national scandal" as Offa's Dyke "has become the line between life and death". |
UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt also launched his strongest attack on the NHS in Wales, claiming it is "sleepwalking to a Mid Staffs tragedy". | UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt also launched his strongest attack on the NHS in Wales, claiming it is "sleepwalking to a Mid Staffs tragedy". |
He criticised Wales' record on waiting times and ambulance targets. | He criticised Wales' record on waiting times and ambulance targets. |